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Samsung is making yet another breakthrough with its edge-lit LED-based LCD HDTVs or LED TVs, a roster topped by the pricey Samsung UN55B8000 HDTV. But what does an edge-lit HDTV mean? And how does it make models like the UN55B8000 a cut above the rest?

Before we try to understand the concept of edge-lit HDTVs, let us first take a look at how LED televisions work. As you probably already know, most LCD televisions use a fluorescent lamp for a backlight, which is the main reason why they cannot produce black levels as deep as Plasma televisions. However, with LED-based televisions, as the term implies, hundreds of LEDs or small bulbs are used to light up the panel. These bulbs are arranged in clusters that can be turned off individually, resulting in outstandingly deep blacks. Other advantages of LEDs include lower energy consumption, durability and longer shelf life.

Because of this, LED-lit HDTVs are becoming popular. However, most of them are direct-lit, which means that the LEDs cover the entire panel and project the light forward. On the other hand, the Samsung UN55B8000 is edge-lit, which means that the LEDs are only on the top and the bottom of the panel, projecting the light towards the center where a light guide plate reflects it forward and focuses it accordingly.

One advantage of edge-lit HDTVs is that they can be made even thinner and lighter, making them not only attractive but also easier to mount on the wall just like a framed painting. Indeed, the UN55B8000 is only 1.2 inches deep at most, making it one of Samsung’s slimmest and most stylish HDTVs.

More importantly, edge-lit HDTVs consume the least amount of electricity among current HDTVs. Just think, LCD HDTVs are already considered energy savers compared to other types like Plasma, and LED-based ones consume far less. Edge-lit HDTVs consume even less, since they use less LEDs.

Edge-lit televisions have disadvantages, too, though, such as the heat generated by the frame – especially the top and bottom part – and problems regarding screen uniformity. Samsung claims to have solved these issues, though, and indeed, the UN55B8000 is an efficient piece, with the issue of screen uniformity only appearing during dark scenes, and even then, is difficult to discern.

Indeed, the Samsung UN55B8000 is an extraordinary HDTV, and its edge-lit LED-based technology is just the tip of the iceberg. Aside from this, the UN55B8000 delivers accurate colors and is equipped with a 240Hz processor to keep images clear even during fast-moving scenes – something LCD televisions usually have a problem doing. A library of built-in content like recipes and children’s activities, basic Yahoo widgets and DLNA capability give it good marks on interactivity while four HDMI inputs, a PC input and two USB slots are conveniently provided.

So, is the Samsung UN55B8000 a good buy? This is something you shouldn’t be asking any longer after reading this. After all, you already know the reasons why it is very expensive, the same reasons that make it not just a good but a great HDTV, a true cut above the rest.